Every single accident and every single injury will have a different outcome under the law. The best way to find out who may be held responsible for the cost of your injuries is by speaking to an experienced attorney.
In Florida vehicle accidents, there are three different types of insurance that can pay your medical costs. Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance covers the first $10,000 of your medical damages. It is paid by your insurance company regardless of who caused the accident. If another person caused the accident and they have proper insurance, their liability insurance may pay your medical costs. If another driver is uninsured or underinsured, your own insurance company can end up paying if you have uninsured motorist coverage.
In nearly all types of accidents, Florida law uses comparative negligence to determine who is at fault and for how much. This means that each party is responsible for paying a percentage of the costs based on the percentage of the fault the jury assigns to them, ranging from 0%-100%. For example, if a jury finds that another driver was 75% at fault for your accident, that driver would be responsible for 75% of your medical costs. If the jury found that you were 50% responsible, the other driver would only be responsible for 50% of your costs. Unfortunately, this means that your recovery could be limited if you were at fault for an accident. Hiring an experienced Florida personal injury attorney is essential for maximizing your recovery under the law.
Depending on where and how you were injured, a property owner, tenant, government or doctor could be held responsible. Nursing homes, hospitals, dog owners and contractors can all be made to compensate you under the law if they are found to be at fault. If you were hurt at work, your employer may be forced to pay under the state’s workers’ compensation statutes.
If a defective or dangerous product caused your injury, it may be possible to hold a manufacturer, retailer or distributor liable in a court of law. This process may require the use of experts and highly technical evidence. Having a knowledgeable products liability attorney on your side will make this process much easier.
Determining who is legally responsible for your injury often requires the filing of a lawsuit. Most cases settle before or during trial, but in rare cases, fault is determined by a jury after a civil trial. While no attorney can tell you exactly how your case will be resolved, it will be helpful to contact a reputable Florida personal injury attorney at Largey Law as soon as possible to learn about your rights and the potential outcomes of your claims.
